Cartel Used Firm's Products, Official Says

A Norwalk manufacturer was identified Tuesday as the source of electronic devices used by members of a Mexican cocaine cartel to eavesdrop on rival drug traffickers and law enforcement agents.

Cellular Technology illegally exported the devices to a Canadian company, which in turn arranged to ship them to Mexico, the U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday during a hearing in New Haven.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James I. Glasser disclosed a lengthy undercover investigation by U.S. Customs and Secret Service agents and the arrests six months ago of Cellular Technology's owners, David Salman and Allan Liang.

The investigation was detailed as William J. Fischer, 50, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, appeared in open court to plead guilty to conspiracy to illegally possess, distribute and export the electronic devices.

Charges still are pending against Salman and Liang. Eight others who did business with Fischer, Salman and Liang in Texas, Florida and New Jersey also face federal charges, prosecutors said.

Fischer was arrested in April after he promised an undercover Customs agent a device known as a CT100, a handheld device capable of intercepting and monitoring cellular phone calls. The meeting was videotaped.

U.S. Attorney Christopher F. Droney said export of the CT100 without an export license is illegal, as is the possession or sale of the devices in the United States.

Fischer faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced September 15 in New Haven by U.S. District Chief Judge Peter C. Dorsey.